Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1891 — THE DEMOCRATIC TAX LAW. [ARTICLE]

THE DEMOCRATIC TAX LAW.

HOW THE OPPOSITION PRESS REGARD IT. Below we present the views of the Rensselaer Republican, a party “organ” in the strictest sense of the term, which rigidly adheres to the policies mapped out for it by the Indianapolis Journal; and the Indianapolis News which, while it relegates “organism” to the rear, is withal the most influential Republican journal in Indiana. Read what they say: [Rensselaer Republican.] The Democratic tax law is pure and intentional cusseduess, the same as the gerrymander bills are and no stock need be taken infthe plea that its objectionable provisions are owing to “mistakes.* The 1 w is just what the Democratic bosses wanted it to be. Had it been otherwise Green Smith would have changed it after the Legislature adjourned, just as he did the legislative apportionment bill. They wanted the la w to bear down heavy on the land owners, in pursuance of the plainly expressed single-tax doctrine of the Indianapolis Sentinel during the iast campaign, and only less pla nly expressed in the last Democratic state platform. Even those features of the law which more than double the state tax for school purpsse, by more than doubling the assessment and leaving the levy unreduced, was, no doubt deliberately planned. It will result in a revenue next year twice as large as needed, and the surplus will be a nice thing for the Democratic state treasurer to loan out, and raise a big campaign fund with, —and perchance fill his own and some other interested parties pockets at the same time There is method in all this Democratic tax-law madness, and don’t you forget it. The closing lines of the above should have the contrary effect from that intended upon the average Republican reader. The fact that the author thinks it necessary to employ snch staff to hold his par zans within lines is|a reflection upon their intelligence. But to what is said by the Indianapolis News: .. THE STATE’S TAXATION.

The completion of the work of the State Board of equalization marks one of the most important steps ever t iken in Indiana; and ‘he decision of the people we believe will be “well done, good and faithful servants.” The vast total, in round numbers, of $1,360,000,000, marks the appraised value of the taxable property in Indiana. And in nothing, we believe, is it an over-appraisement. It has, we think, safely erred, if at all, on the minim m side of fair valuation. Certainly, railroads and corporations have for the first time in many a long vear, if ever, been brought to th mark of something like an adequate istimateof their due proportion of benefits an consequently a due share of the burden of the commonwealth. For this conclusion as well as so the general result the word of commendation is to be extended to the tax commissioners, and the meed of praise to be given to Attorney General Green Smith It was his ferocious assault in the beginning and his immovable “residence” right in the neighborhood of the subject that prevailed against the combined reaction which endeavored to shake free ns of old thisclass of institutions from their fa’r share of the public burden. Possibly more equable procedure might have attained the end, and to t hrow grass instead of stones might have hit the mark. Well, Mr. Smith did not throw grass; he threw something, and he kept on throw ng, and he hit the mark and hit it hard And here we are with an appraisement of $1,300,000,000 asa fair reflection of our commonwealth! The wise tax law of the last Legislature lifting ns out of the poverty and expense of an unfair 'and inadequate appraisement has been nobly executed. The Ind ana State fair takes place at Indianpolis next week, beginning bn Monday and continuing all the week. The Monon Route will sell tickets for Indianpolis at one fare for the round trip. Tickets sold any day from Sept. 2oth to 26th. Good going only on day of sale, and returning on any day until Sept. 28.

The city of Newport, R. 1., swung clear into the Democratic ranks in its municipal election the other day. The result was an almost complete overturn and the first victory for the Democrats on strict party-drawn lines achieved in municipal affairs in many years. The Democrats elected their mayor, full board of six aldermen and eight of fifteen councilnren, with one failure to elect. The result will be three and possibly five on joint ballot, giving them complete control. Last year the Republicans had a mayor, five aid, rmen and nine councilmen, on a joint majority of seven. Therj is a significance in this like unto “the handwriting on the wall.”